Conditioning of yarn



Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,153,138 conmrronmc or man Joseph B. Dickey and James G. McNally, Rochester, N. Y., assignors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Application November 26, 1937,

, Serial No. 176,691

18 c n... This invention relates to the conditioning of textile yarns and more particularly to the conditioning of filaments and yarns composed of 1 strains and to lubricate the yarn in order to facilitate handling in such operations as spinning, twisting, winding and reeling; In addition, it is necessary to treat yarn toadapt it for use as warp or filling or forthe manufacture of various types of knitted fabrics. In knitting, it is particularly important that the yarn be soft and pliable in, order that it may conform readily to the contour of the needles and thus produce a closely knit-fabric free from such defects as stitch distortion", pinholes, laddering, and the like. I

Heretofore it has been proposed to employ softening agents such as polyhydric alcohols and similar agents as ingredients of yarn condition- 39 mg or lubricating formulae, generally in connection with mineral, animal or vegetable oils. It has been found, however, that most of the known softening agents and the various formulae containing them have certain drawbacks, one of the most serious of which is high vapor pressure, and in some cases too drastic a solvent action on the yarn. Many of such agents possess slight or insumcient solvent power for the lubricants with which they are used and it is accordingly necessary to employ blending agents or emulsifying agents in order to obtain operable yarn treating formulae. In addition, many of the known softening and lubricating agents are in-' lubricating, softening and rendering such yarns more amenable to knitting and other textile operations. A further and specific object is to provide aclass of conditioning agents which augment or assist the lubricating action of various lubricants when'applied to such yarns. A still further object is to provide yarn softening and lubricating formulae which can be readily removed from the yarns by the usual scour baths. A still further object is to provide an improved method for the conditioning of yarns, particularly those composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetate, whereby the yarn is rendered soft and pliable 10 and capable of employment in a variety of textile operations where complicated designs or stitches are employed. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

These objects are accomplished by the follow- 18 ing invention which in its broader aspects comprises the discovery 'that polyketones having the general formula:

I 21, 1412; Hexanedione,-2,3, Ber. 22, 2119; Hexanedione-2,4,--Ber. 22, 1014; Hexanedione-3,4,- J. Prakt.'Chem. (2) 55, 196; Heptanedione-2,4,- Ber. 22, 1010; Heptanetrione-2,4,6,-Ann. 257, 276; Triacetylmethane,-A. Chem. Phys. ('7) 26, 345; and similar compounds.

We have found that these compounds have a slight solvent and/or softening action on cellu- 40 lose organic derivative yarns which renders such yarns soft and pliable without at the same time having too drastic a solvent action thereon.

In accordance with the invention these .compounds may be applied directly to the yarn during or after spinning, or may be added to the spinning solution itself. We have found that these compounds have exceptional solvent powers which enable them to dissolve mineral oilsand blown and unblown, drying and semi-drying, vegetable and animal oils and accordingly they may be, and preferably are, employed as ingredients of yarn conditioning or lubricating formulae in conjunction with agents which function wholly or partially as lubricants. s5

In the following examples and description, we have set forth several of the preferred embodiments of our invention, but they are included merely for the purposes of illustration and not as a limitation thereof.

Our invention will be more readily understood byreference to the following examples in which I typical applications of the invention are set plicator roll dipping in a bath of the agent. The

conditioning agent is deposited in an amount representing anywhere from 4- 25% of the dry weight of the yarn. The yarn thus treated is charaterized by a high degree of softness and pliability without harmful loss of strength and is in excellent condition for use in knitting.

Example II.--A yarn conditioning composition consisting of 3,4-dimethylhexanedione-2,5 is deposited on cellulose acetate yarn intended for weaving as it passes from the spinning cabinet, application being by means of aconventional applicator roll dipping-fin a bath-of the agent. The conditioning agent is deposited-in an amount representing anywhere from 1 5'% of the dryweight of the yarn. The yarn thus treated is characterized by a high degree of softness and piiability without harmful-loss of strength and is in excellent condition for-use inknitting. as in Example I, the yarn is found to be-in excellent condition for knitting by reason of its softness and pliability.

Example III-A conditioning liquid of the following composition:

Percent Acetonyl acetone 70 Olive oil 30 is applied in an amount representing about 1-5% of the dry weight of the yarn to cellulose acetate yarn intendedfor knitting purposes. The yarn thus treated-is found to be quite soft and pliable and gives improved results in the knitting operation.

Other yarn conditioning compositions having a softening and lubricating effect on various types of yarns including those composed of or containing cellulose organic derivatives such as cellulose acetate, as well as viscose, natural silk and others which may be used in accordance with our invention are the following:

Ewample IV Percent Heptanetrione 2,4,6 -L 60 Blown olive n11 40 Example V Percent Triacetylmethane l Blown sperm oil- 30 Example, VI

' u Percent Hexanedione-3,4 '10 Light mineral oil 30 Example VII 4 I Percent Pent'anedione-2,3 80 Sperm oil '70 Example VIII Percent Decanedione-2,3 20 Blown neat's-foot 30 Sulf. olive oil 20' White mineral oil l0 Oleic acid Ethanolamine 3 Water '7 Example IX 4 1o Percent Acetyl acetone 20 Sperm oil 69 Laurel 20 15 Example x i Percent Nonanedione-2,8 50 Blown sperm oil 30 Sulf. castor oil 20 Example XI.-A 20% solution of cellulose acetate in acetone in which is incorporated 1-25% of the weight of tilt? cellulose acetate of nonanedione-2,4 is extruded through fine orifices into an evaporative atmosphere. The filaments thus produced are wound or twisted and wound. Yarns produced from filaments thus treated are soft and pliable and especially well suited for knitting operations.

Still other compositions which may be employed for the conditioning of yarns in accordance with our invention are the following:

Example XII Y Percent 85 Water 80 Gelatin 5 Acetonyl acetone v 10 Sulfonated olive oil 5 Example xm Percent Water 80 Watersoluble cell. ester 5 Hexanedione 2. 10 Diethylene glycol 5 Example XIV Percent 2,4 octane dione 2 Mineral -oil 30 Blown olive oil 50 Example XV 1 Percent 2,4,6 decane tl'inne 18 Mineral oil 20 Blown oilve nil 20 Oleic acid... 15 Sodium sulfate 2 Sulfonated olive oil 20 00 Sodium cetyl sulfate. 5

Example XVI Percent Acetonyl acetone 10 Butyl oieate 30 Blown neats-foot oil As will be apparent from the above examples and description the conditioning agents of our invention may be applied by a wide variety of methods. For example, we may employ the agent as an ingredient of the spinning dope from which the filaments are formed, the amount of the agent so employed depending upon a number of factors, such as the particular cellulose derivative used in making the yarn, the solvent or solvent combination used in making up the spinning solution, and the degree of softness or pliability desired in the yarn, etc.

If the conditioning agent is to be applied to th yarn after spinning, this may be done by bringing the yarn in contact with a wick, roll, or felt wet therewith or the liquid may be applied by immersion, spray, or otherwise. The particular point at which the liquid is applied may vary. It may, for example, be applied to the yarn inside or outside the spinning cabinet, between the guide and godet roll, between the godet or other roll or guide and the point of winding and/or twisting. In some cases, the liquid may even be applied to the yarn after winding onto cones, spools, bobbins, or the like or by the so-called "bobbin to bobbin method. In the case of staple fiber manufacture, the liquid may be applied to the yarn prior to, or after cutting into staple lengths.

The amount of the agent so employed will vary widely dependingupon the results desired, the specific nature of the material to which the agent is applied, the use to which the yarn is eventually to be put and other factors. For example, in a given case where a cellulose organic acid ester yarn such as a yarn composed of cellulose acetate, is intended for knitting, about 4 to 25% or more by weight,,based on the weight of the dry yarn, may be sasisfactory, while if the yarn is intended for weaving, the amount may varybetween about 1 and 5%.

Although in the above examples we have referred primarily to yarn treating compositions containing only the conditioning agent and an oil, other ingredients such as solvents, nonsolvents, emulsifying agents, blending agents and the like, may be added within the scope of our invention. Likewise, various dyes or other coloring matter may be included in case it is desired to permanently or fugitively tint or dye the material undergoing treatment.

Although we have found it convenient to illustrate our invention by reference to compositions containing specific percentages of the various ingredients, these percentages may vary widely depending upon the particular purpose for which the composition is intended. For example, if it is desired to control'the solvent or softening action of the conditioning agent, the amount of the agent may be adjusted as, for example, by reducing the-amount of the agent and correspondingly increasing the amount of oil or other ingredient.

' While we have described our invention with particular reference to the treatment of yarns composed of organic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetate, the conditioning agents and formulas described herein are applicable to the conditioning of many other types of cellulose derivative yarns such as those composed of or containing cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate,

ture of natural and artificial filaments or a commsite thread formed by twisting together individual strands. of natural or artificial materials, as well as cut staple fibers produced from natural and/or artificial filaments or threads and spun yarn produced from such staple fibers.

As indicated above, the yarn conditioning agents .of our invention are exceptionally good solvents for a wide variety of mineral, blown and unblown, drying and semi-drying animal and vegetable oils such as cottonseed, olive, castor,

neats-foot, sperm and other oils. This enables them to be used with any of such oils in making up a variety of yarn treating formulae oi varying composition.

The yarn condtioning method and compositions of our invention possess many outstanding advantages. The fundamental and outstanding characteristic of the agents employed in accordance with the inventionis their ability to soften yarns, especially those composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetate and render them soft and pliable and amenable to various textile operations, especially operations such as those involved in weaving and knitting where complicated designs or stitches are employed, without too drastic an action on the yarn material. Another outstanding characteristic of these compounds is their exceptional solvent power for a wide variety of mineral, animal and vegetable oils and their ability to act as lubricating assistants in conjunction with these oils when applied to such yarns. In addition, due to their solubility in water, they may be readily removed from yarns andfabrics by means of the usual aqueous scour-baths. By employing the yarn conditioning agents and method of our invention as herein described, one is enabled to obtain highly satisfactory results in the manufacture of yarns and woven fabrics and especially. the production from these yarns of closely knit iabrics free from defects such as pin holes, stitch distortion, laddering and the like.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters .Patent of the United States is:

1. The process of conditioning yarn to render it more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening composition containing a polyketone having the general formula:

including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applying thereto a lubricat ing and softeningv composition containing a polyketone having the general formula:- I

where R and R are alkyl groups and the ketone groups are either adjacent to one another or separated by one. or more carbon atoms.

3, The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing cellulose acetate to render it more amenable to textile operations including knit-, ting, weaving, spinning and the like which. comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softenv I ing composition containing a the general formula:

i) R(U)8, I. aimwhere R and R are alkyl groups and. the ketone pol ketone having groups are either adjacent to one another or separated by one or more carbon atoms.

, 4. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing cellulose acetate to render it more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applying thereto a lubricating and so!- tening compesition containing a polyketonehaving the general formula:

R-(h. s, eta-" where R and R are alml groups and the ketone groups are either adjacent to one another or separated by one or more carbon atoms, and a textile lubricant.

5. The process of conditioning yarn composed I 01' or containing cellulose acetate to render it tening composition containing heptanedione-2,4.

8. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns more amenable to textile operations, including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which colnligrises a polyketone having the general form where R and R are alkyl groups and the ketone groups are eitheradjacent to one another or separated by one or more carbon atoms.

' 9. A conditioning agent for rendering textile yarns composed of or containing organic derivaam of cellulose more amenable to textile operatlons, including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises a polyketone having the general formula: I

ll -(Ch. a. m.-R'

where R. and R are alkyl groups and the ketone groups are either adjacent to one another. or sep- -'.rated by one or more carbon atoms.

10.,A conditioning agent for rendering yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate more amenable to textile operationsincluding knitting,

weaving, spinning and the like containing pentanedione-2,3.

11. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate more amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like containing hexanedione-2,4.

12. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns; composed of or containing cellulose acetate moreamenable to textile operations including knitting,

weaving, spinning and the like containing heptanedione-2,4.

13. Textile yarn amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like impregnated with a lubricant containing a polyketone havingthe general formula:

R"'((!))I.I, cur-R where R and R are alkyl groups and the ketone groups are either adjacent to one another or separated by one or more carbon atoms.

14. .Textile yarn composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like impregnated with a lubricant containing a polyketone having the general iormula:

R( i),. 8. ....-a' where R and R are alkyl groups and the ketone groups are either adjacent to one another or separated 'by one or more carbon atoms.

15. Textile yarn composed of or containing organic derivatives of cellulose amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like impregnated with a lubricant containing a polyketone having the general formula:

0 (i )z. marwhere R and R are alkyl groups and the ketone groups are either adjacent to one another or separated by one or more carbon atoms and a textile lubricant.

16. Textile yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like impregnated with a lubricant comprising pentanedione- 2,3.

17. Textile yarns composed of ,or containing cellulose acetate amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning, and the like impregnated with a lubricant comprising hexanemone-2,4,

18. Textile yarns composed'ot or containing cellulose acetate amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving,'spinning and the like impregnated with a lubricant comprising heptanedione-2,4.

JAMES G. McNALLY. JOSEPH B. DICKEY. 

